Thunder Route Quakers on the Road

WILMINGTON, Ohio - Trine scored early and often in a 20-6 drumming of Wilmington yesterday, March 30. It was the third straight win for the Thunder (4-4) and featured five different players scoring at least four points, led by senior Dalton Madsen's (Westminster, Colo./Northglenn) eight (4 goals, 4 assists).

Madsen would score in the opening possession of the game, dodging down the right wing, connecting on a left handed midrange shot. From there, the Thunder controlled the ball, worked it around, and keeping it primarily on the offensive end until freshman Jack Brown (Middletown, Ohio/Archbishop Alter) picked up his first goal midway through the quarter.

The defensive unit, led by freshman Jordan Backer (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) and junior David Louis (Burnsville, Minn./Apple Valley) played a big part in the Quakers eight first quarter turnovers. Wilmington would have their two goals in the period come after loose ball situations led to fast break scenarios for the Quakers. Otherwise, it was all Thunder, putting the ball between the pipes twice on man-up chances to lead 6-2 after one.

The second quarter was no different on offense for Trine, as Madsen duplicated his quick first quarter scoring outburst with another just 37 seconds in. The Thunder quickly picked up where they left off on offense, as senior Ryan Chait (Cincinnati, Ohio/Indian Hill) finished off a hard cut to the middle of the field by making a great catch in traffic and laying one between the pipes on the way to a seven-goal Trine quarter. The Thunder defense held tight, crushing Wilmington 19-to-2 in the ground ball battle and allowing them to take just five shots in the second.

Opening the third quarter with a 13-3 lead, Trine was outscored 3-2 in the period, giving up a goal on man-down as well as two opportunities from Quaker midfielder Jalen Jackson. Sophomore attacker Pat Walker (Round Lake Park, Ill./Grayslake North) and Madsen both scored unassisted goals.

The fourth quarter was all Trine, finishing strong with five goals while shutting out Wilmington in the final 15 minutes. Patrick Walker had a hat-trick in the final period, scoring three times in a 10 minute span. Goals from junior Zach Matthews (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood) and freshman Jake Ahearn (Naperville, Ill./Naperville) would round out a 20 goal offensive performance from the Thunder, who had their highest scoring output of the season.

Madsen, Brown and Walker all tallied four goals on the afternoon while freshman Paul Carlquist (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) added two goals and two assists. Freshman Chris Ward (Oak Lawn, Ill./St Rita) led the Thunder with a game-high 10 groundballs while also going 14 for 16 in faceoffs. Madsen and Backer each also picked up seven groundballs on the afternoon. Backer and fellow freshman Alex DePoy (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Grand Rapids) led the Thunder with three caused turnovers.

In goal, sophomore Austin Helm (Westfield, Ind./Westfield) earned his first decision of the season making three saves. Freshman Sam Margulis (St. Louis, Mo./MICDS) came on for the final 21 minutes of play and made four saves between the pipes.

As a team, the Thunder finished just two groundballs shy of tying a school record as they finished with 67 for the day compared to just 27 for Wilmington. The Thunder forced 15 turnovers on the day while going a combined 24 for 30 in the faceoff circle. Trine out-shot the Quakers 62-21 and were 2 for 8 in man-up chances. The Thunder were nearly perfect in clearing opportunities as they went 28 for 29 on chances while holding Wilmington to just 19 of 34.

Trine will play in their first-ever MIAA conference game when they travel to Olivet on April 2 for a 4:00 p.m. game.